DHSS Press Release

MEDIA ADVISORY

Sussex County Council; Mary Dupont, Director Financial Empowerment for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services;
and Sussex County financial empowerment program $tand By Me partners.

WHAT:

Mary Dupont will give a presentation to the Sussex County Council on $tand By Me, a financial empowerment program, which is a
joint project between the State of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware. Since it began in June 2011, stand By Me has
provided free financial coaching and a toolkit to navigate financial challenges to more than 2,000 Delawareans. stand By Me
provides financially vulnerable low- and moderate-income Delawareans with one-on-one financial coaching at workplaces,
educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The program also helps individuals and families to
navigate the complex world college and financial aid applications; provides access to consumer-friendly alternatives to pay-day
loans and check cashing stores; offers assistance with requesting and interpreting credit scores; and financial planning to
help individuals increase their own economic security. "As a priority of Gov. Jack Markell, our goal is to increase economic
stability for all Delawareans so we are very excited about the potential of bringing this important program to Sussex County in
partnership with local businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies. It is important to meet people where they are to make these
services easy to access and user-friendly."

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health
and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.